Stereo Speakers Comparison

Keep other factors consistent when comparing stereo speakers

Comparing the sound quality of two or more sets of stereo speakers can be a challenging task because there are many other variables besides the speakers that can influence the overall quality of the sound produced.

Listen Blindly

It is natural to be swayed by the way a set of stereo speakers look, the price tag attached to them or even the brand name on the front. To truly evaluate the audio quality of stereo speakers, you should eliminate these variables. Close your eyes while you listen to the speakers and let someone else handle the demonstration to be truly objective.

Use The Same Components

Keep every element of the audio system other than the speakers consistent across your comparisons. Changing components such as CD players, DVD players, receiver and speaker wire can drastically alter the sound produced by the speaker, which makes it more difficult to determine how the speakers themselves actually differ.

Give It Time

Listen to an entire song or a full movie scene on one pair of stereo speakers before listening to a different pair. Switching speakers in the middle of a demonstration actually makes it more difficult to notice subtle differences in sound quality because the sound is constantly changing.

References

• Paradigm: How to Evaluate and Compare Speakers
• Sound and Vision Magazine: How to Buy Speakers